AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- EVIDENCE

This bill proposes to repeal the collateral source rule specifically for medical malpractice cases. Currently, this rule allows defendants to introduce evidence showing that a patient has received or will receive benefits from sources like health insurance or workers' compensation, which can then be used to reduce the damages awarded by a jury. If passed, the law would no longer permit defendants to present this financial information to the jury, thereby preventing any reduction of the final damage award based on those external payments. The change would directly affect licensed physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare providers who currently rely on this rule during litigation.